We tasted it: Is Starbucks' new Berry Prickly Pear Frappuccino sweet or sickly?

No longer is prickly pear a niche flavor unknown to those outside the Southwest. It's now mainstream.

For a limited time, the new Berry Prickly Pear Frappuccino is available at Starbucks, the coffee giant that brought us the infamous Unicorn Frappuccino back in April.

Featuring no coffee whatsoever, the Berry Prickly Pear Frappuccino combines mango syrup with milk, ice and Starbuck's Frappuccino blended creme base, which is then poured over a puree of strawberry and prickly pear. The standard whipped cream is omitted for one final layer of the puree, topping off this colorful concoction. 

The drink is available alongside its tropical cousin, the Mango Pineapple Frappuccino, which comprises Starbuck's "Colors of Summer" promotion. The drinks are prepared identically, with mango and pineapple puree substituted for the strawberry and prickly pear.

Just like spring's Unicorn Frappuccino, these summer drinks cost a pretty penny — $4.83 for a small (a.k.a. "tall") in Phoenix. A small of either variety contains 180 calories and 34 grams of sugar.

Without the caffeinated kick, these drinks are essentially glorified fruit smoothies. The prickly pear compliments the strawberry well, and the decision to ditch the whipped cream for the extra puree was a smart choice. Otherwise, this sweet treat would've become way too sickly sweet. The added element of prickly pear's melon-like taste with hints of bubble gum makes it an intriguing and unique combination at the very least.

I gave a sip to a fellow supporter who was surprised prickly pear's bubble gum comparisons rang true. 

The mango pineapple is the more straightforward of the two. It tastes just as you would expect — mango plus pineapple. It's not revolutionary, but it's not trying to be. Customers know exactly what to expect with this one. 

But if we're being honest, Starbuck's recent line of specialty Frappuccinos are more about social media viability. They're easily photogenic, and they're meant to rake in those Instagram likes. 

In that regard, they do their job well, but don't make the mistake of mixing the puree in with the drink unless you want a sad mixture of unappealing red or yellow (see the photo below for proof). So #selfie before you mix. 

After all, if you're after after a flavorful, balanced smoothie, there's much cheaper options available, so don't waste your money here unless you're satisfied chasing the new trend.